US pushes missile defence

By Jon Leyne

The United States has announced a massive increase in the number of tests it will carry out on its missile defence project in the coming year.

About one test a month is to be scheduled, at a cost of $100m each.

If it's successful we'll gain confidence. If it fails we will learn a lot

General Ronald Kadish

The first test firing will be held on Saturday night.

This is further evidence, if any were needed, of the determination of the Bush administration to press ahead with this controversial project.

After a year's break, the tests are resuming in earnest.

Saturday's target missile will be fired from California, and an interceptor from a remote Pacific island.

High cost

It is an almost exact copy of the last test, a year ago, which failed.

In September, testing will begin on a ship-based system.

Eventually trials will also begin on a massive laser mounted on a jumbo jet.

The head of the Pentagon's missile defence programme, General Ronald Kadish, hesitated for a moment, before confirming the cost.

The general insisted that they would then push on regardless of the success or failure of the latest launch.

"If it's successful we'll gain confidence," he said. "If it fails we will learn a lot."